"I suppose you are in the thick of it by this time, for I see that the illuminations at Ghezirah have already begun. My dear, my dear, my——"
Her last word was not yet written when she heard Ishmael's tremulous whisper of the name he knew her by, and, starting up as if she had received an electric shock, she saw the Egyptian coming into her tent with the glittering eyes of one who was about to accomplish some joyous task. At the next moment, before she knew what was happening, she found herself clasped in his arms.
"My life! My heart! My eyes! My own!" he was saying in hot and impetuous whispers, and, raising her face to his face, he was kissing her on the lips.
She struggled to liberate herself, but felt like a helpless child in his strong, irresistible grasp.
"Leave me! Let me go!" she said, with heat and anger, but he did not seem to hear her or to be conscious of her resistance.
"Oh, how glad I am!" he said. "Our journey is at an end! Our new life is about to begin! How happy we shall be!"
All the blood in Helena's body rushed to her cheeks, and, putting up her hands between their faces, she demanded angrily—
"What do you mean by this? What are you doing?"
Yet still he did not hear her, for his passion was overpowering him, its intoxicating voice was ringing through his whole being, and he continued to pour into her ears a torrent of endearing words.
"Yes, yes, our new life is about to begin! It is to begin to-night—now!"